"The pages shall not interrupt the kitchen maids.

"The grooms shall not steal his highness's straw for bed, sufficient
being allowed to them.

"Coal only to be allowed to the king's, queen's, and lady Mary's
chambers.[2]

"The brewers not to put any brimstone in the ale.

"Twenty-four loaves a-day for his highness' greyhounds.

"Ordered--that all noblemen and gentlemen at the end of the session of
parliament, depart to their several counties, on pain of the royal
displeasure."

The following items contain nothing very remarkable, and if they did,
perhaps I have copied enough already for a specimen of this ludicrous
manuscript.

W. H. H.

[2] Hence it was found necessary for the pages and servants
to run about to warm themselves with different diversions
before going to bed.

* * * * *

FOUR THIEVES' VINEGAR.

In an old tract printed in the year 1749, it is stated that one Richard
_Forthave_, who lived in Bishopsgate-street Without, sold and invented
"_a vinegar_," which had a great run, and he soon became noted; and from
this it may be concluded that the length of time has caused the above
corruption. The article in the pamphlet is headed "Forthave's Vinegar."

W. H. H.

* * * * *

FISH.

Philip II. of Spain, the consort of our Queen Mary, gave a whimsical
reason for not eating fish. "They are," said he, "nothing but element
congealed, or a jelly of water."

It is related of Queen Aterbates, that she forbade her subjects ever to
touch fish, "lest," said she, with calculating forecast, "there should
not be enough left to regale their sovereign."

* * * * *

A GENTLEMAN'S FASHION.

In the reign of Henry VII. Sir Philip Calthorpe, a Norfolk knight, sent
as much cloth of fine French tawney, as would make him a gown, to a
tailor in Norwich. It happened, one John Drakes, a shoemaker, coming
into the shop, liked it so well, that he went and bought of the same, as
much for himself, enjoining the tailor to make it of the same fashion.
The knight was informed of this, and therefore commanded the tailor to
cut his gown as full of holes as his shears could make. John Drakes's
was made "of the same fashion," but he vowed he would never be of the
_gentleman's_ fashion again.

C. F E.

* * * * *

CONVEYANCING.

The oldest conveyance of which we have an